County Building Permits
Foster County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Foster County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Foster County.
- Department
- Tax Equalization Office
- Address
- 1000 5th St North, PO Box 257, Carrington, ND 58421-0257
- Phone
- (701) 652-3060
- kevans@nd.gov
Application Process
- Contact Foster County Tax Equalization office for permit forms and requirements.
- Submit completed application with plans and specifications.
- County review and approval.
- Payment of applicable fees.
- Permit issuance.
General Requirements
Most structural and mechanical work in unincorporated Foster County requires a building permit.
- Building code
- Adoption status not documented; verify with county office.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work per state law.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Tax Equalization office for current fee information.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Tax Equalization Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are coordinated through Foster County if adopted; actual inspection authority may be delegated to contractors or third-party inspectors depending on work type.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Adoption status not documented; verify with county office.
- Verify contractor license: North Dakota State Electrical Board
- North Dakota State Plumbing Board
- ND DEQ Stormwater Permits
- ND DEQ Septic Systems
- License lookup guide: North Dakota Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: North Dakota Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- North Dakota hub: North Dakota Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Tax Equalization Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Foster County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Foster County, ND?
- Most structural and mechanical work in unincorporated Foster County requires a building permit.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Foster County, ND?
- 1. Contact Foster County Tax Equalization office for permit forms and requirements. 2. Submit completed application with plans and specifications. 3. County review and approval. 4. Payment of applicable fees. 5. Permit issuance.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Foster County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Buildings that are neither heated nor cooled.; Minor cosmetic improvements (verify with county).; Temporary work camp housing may be eligible for alternative construction methods under specific conditions.. Note: Verify all exemptions with Foster County Tax Equalization office before proceeding.
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